Happy Horses and Happy Owners, Thanks to German Dressage

A Sampling of Imported Horses and Happy Owners

Petit Danseur and Jennifer at the 2004 USET Selection Trials

Owner/Sponsor Georgia Griffiths of G2 Software Systems sent Jürgen and Jennifer to Europe in January 2003 to look for an as yet undiscovered horse for Jennifer to compete, with a goal of finding one worthy of both national and international competition. The trip covered 2400 km in 5 days, and resulted in more than 7 casettes of video footage of over 50 horses before Petit Danseur was found at a small farm outside of Hannover--but he was exactly the answer that everyone was looking for! Moving with a cat-like yet powerful grace and elegance, there was no question but that he was the one. Jürgen and Jennifer's eyes for horses were confirmed when Petit Danseur was ranked 4th and 5th in the United States in the USDF Horse-of-the-Year standings at Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire-1 in 2003, respectively, and qualified for and competed at the USET Selection Trials/Festival of Champions in 2004, placing 8th overall, with a 5th in the Musical Freestyle.

Facet and Susan Walker at the 2004 Del Mar CDI***

Originally imported to help owner Gay Walker advance in her riding skills, Facet not only fulfilled that job admirably but was also shown at Intermediaire-1 by Jennifer when he became extremely distraught at being left behind for shows. Together Facet and Jennifer were the 2003 Region 7 USDF/GAIG Reserve Champions at that level, as well as NA/WPN Horse-of-the-Year, and 6th overall in the USDF Horse-of-the-Year rankings. Although Gay had expected to enter the show ring with Facet for 2004, that was not to be--she made the "mistake" of letting then 13 year-old Susan have a ride on Facet. It was love at first sight for the 2003 Junior/YR USDF 2nd Level Champion and the stallion, and they went on to become undefeated in 2004 in their 3rd and 4th Level and FEI Junior classes, and to compete in the 2004 USEF Junior Dressage Team Championships, earning Team Gold and Individual Bronze Medals.

Jan and Emil

Entre Nous (Emil) was imported for owners Jan Dickieson and Don Sine as a young horse in 1997. Jan and Entre Nous were second level AA champions at the 1998 ABIG/USDF Region 1 Championships. In 2002, the pair placed fourth in Prix St. Georges at the ABIC/USDF Region 1 Championships. In May 2003, Entre Nous’ PSG performance earned Jan her final required score for the USDF Silver Rider Award. The two are currently working Intermediare-I and toying with coming on the scene in their first musical freestyle.

Magic Touch

Magic Touch, a 1993 Hannoverian gelding, was imported for owner Sarah Fischer, when her husband took over the riding duties on her former mount. A Matcho AA son, he is trained through Prix St. Georges, and will be able to take Sarah through the levels as she grows in her riding skills.

L'Esperanza

L'Esperanza was imported as a 3 year-old in January 2003, and is being groomed to become Susan Walker's Young Rider horse. He is exciting us with his progress, and received an 83.5% at his first show, as a four year-old in 2004!

Epo

Epo, a Westphalian gelding, was imported as a 4 year-old. Trained and shown by Jennifer, he placed 5th at the USDF Region 7 Championships less than 3 months after his arrival! Epo has been shown successfully at First and Second Level, and was enjoyed by owner Bill Walker, until a non-horse-related injury caused him to give up riding. Epo now has a new owner that we're certain will be equally pleased.

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, a Hannoverian gelding, was imported as a 13 year-old. Initially purchased as a schoolmaster, Mardi made it clear that although willing, he had more to offer. He and Jennifer competed at Prix St. Georges and Intermediaire I, and were ranked 13th by USET in 2001. Mardi fell ill in October 2001, however, and was humanely euthanized in late November. He was a special horse that will never be forgotten.

Rondo

Rondo, a 1996 Westphalian gelding, was imported in 2002 and has both talent and heart. Rondo was placed for sale in 2005, but Jennifer couldn't bear to see him go, and so bought him herself! He leads the USDF at 3rd Level, and scored well over 70% in his Fourth Level debut. Jennifer hopes to compete at the FEI Levels with Rondo in 2006.

Susan Walker at the 2003 Southern California Junior Championships with Kalibre

Jürgen imported Kalibre, a 1992 Dutch gelding, for 12 year-old Susan Walker in January 2002. By March, Susan and Kalibre were competing at 1st Level and in 2 short months had qualified for the Junior Championships, where they were the Reserve Champions at 1st Level. From there, Susan and Kalibre went to the CDS Championships and competed in the ADULT AMATEUR Division, placing third, and bringing home the NAWPN High Point Perpetual Trophy. They were Reserve Champions in the USDF All Breeds HOY for the NAWPN for 2002 in the JR/YR Division. In 2003, Kalibre and Susan were the CDS Southern Junior Champions at 2nd Level, USDF/GAIG Region 7 Jr/YR Reserve Champions, USDF Jr/YR Second Level Horse-of-the-Year, and NAWPN Second Level Horse-of-the-Year in the Open Division. Susan and Kalibre have had a powerful showing at 3rd Level in 2005, and have begun to compete at 4th Level with scores in the high 60's. They are now schooling PSG.

Gaudina

Jürgen imported Gaudina for owner Linda Barone, DVM, in early 2001. Gaudina was shown at First Level by her owner in 2002, placing either 1st or 2nd in all her classes, and receiving Horse-of-the-Year honors from the Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar Verband at First Level.

Arlington

Jürgen imported Arlington, a 1988 Trakehner stallion with a successful FEI show history and proven breeding record in 2001, and stood him together with the other German Dressage stallions for his owner through 2002. He has since been sold, and is at stud at another breeding farm in California.

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